Reviving restorative justice: A blueprint for Texas.

Restorative justice programs provide a compelling aternative to this framework. Unlike the traditional state-centric justice model, the restorative justice model seeks to reconcile the victim and offender and provide reparations for the harm done in the commission of a crime. By establishing the victim as the center of the process, these initiatives offer promise in providing greater victim satisfaction, increased public safety, and better offender outcomes -- often at less cost than other criminal sanctions. This policy perspective delves into the history of restorative practices, discusses the efficacy of contemporary programs, and suggests a model program for implementation in Texas. (Excerpt)